For Green Lifers seeking to align their career compass, we've dedicated this week to profiling different eco-professions. Yesterday we learned about environmental journalism. If you took our quiz on Monday and scored mostly b's, then read below to learn more about urban farming, your green career fit.
Green Careers: Urban Farming
Urban
farmers grow, process, and distribute food in or around a city, allowing its
residents easy access to fresh, seasonal produce. Some farmers raise animals,
such as chickens or fish. Often found on rooftops, patios, formerly vacant
lots, and even indoors, urban farms can play a crucial role in improving food
access and food security in underserved neighborhoods with few grocery stores. Farms
also add greenery to stark cityscapes; reduce harmful runoff; and help
counteract "urban heat islands" — metropolitan areas that, due to human activity, are significantly warmer than nearby
rural communities. Community farms can provide income and build job skills for
disadvantaged, at-risk youth.
An
urban farmer’s day usually begins early in the morning and could include feeding
animals, delivering food to restaurants and caterers, selling food at farmers’
markets, bookkeeping, marketing to potential clients — and of course, watering
seedlings, fertilizing, weeding, planting, and harvesting. Some urban farmers
are involved in local food justice advocacy and policy, which might involve planning
and participating in meetings.